Practice Details

Regulatory Body

Description

This practice will be of interest to regulators who wish to communicate their commitment to accommodating applicants with documentation challenges, while setting clear parameters.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has rigorous standards for verifying medical degrees and other basic credentials with the source organization. Nevertheless, it states clearly on its website that it will consider alternatives in "exceptional cases where war, civil disruption or natural disaster in an applicant's home country renders primary-source verification impracticable."

The application package provides further instructions on required documents and acceptable alternatives, such as the option to provide proof of having passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination instead of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1 and 2.

CPSO introduces each applicant to the Credentials Unit and to the particular assessor handling his or her application in order to provide applicants with further opportunities to discuss individual circumstances and documentation alternatives. It does this by sending an email notice after it conducts the initial assessment of the application.

Value to Regulator

Helps to accommodate diverse needs of applicants.

Helps to improve communication with applicants.

Value for Applicants

Helps applicants better understand the registration process and what to expect.

Resources and alternative ways to meet registration requirements are available to applicants.

Duties from Registration Practices Assessment Guides

This practice falls under the following duties from the Registration Practices Assessment Guides: